Hatsukokoro Kurouchi Santoku 180mm

The Blacksmith 

Hatsukokoro brings in masters of smithing, sharpening, and handle making to ensure quality, and a high attention to detail on their knives, so you know that you will be getting an amazing work knife. At the price these Kurouchi finish knives are a must have workhorse for any kit, the blue #2 steel will take an amazing edge, while being slightly more durable and rust resistant than a White steel (but we still wouldn’t push our luck). The dark octagonal wood handle looks great with the rustic style of the blade, making it as much a show piece as a work knife.

The Hatsukokoro kurouchi (kumokage) is one of our most popular lines in the shop! These guys come to us from Tosa city, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, and their namesake refers to the mysterious cloud shadows. At the price these Kurouchi finish knives are a must have workhorse for any kit, the blue #2 steel will take an amazing edge, while being slightly more durable and rust resistant than a White steel (but we still wouldn’t push our luck). The blacksmith (kurouchi) finish gives it a real rustic look, and the carbon core sharpens up quite easily, making it as much a show piece as a work knife, both aesthetically pleasing and practical! 

The Knife

Santoku translates to three virtues. Meat, fish, and vegetables, or slicing, dicing, and chopping. No matter what way you look at it, it implies the versatility of the knife. While you sacrifice some of the slicing capability of a larger gyuto, don't be fooled by its size, the santoku can get 99% of your kitchen tasks done without breaking a sweat, which is probably why its the most popular shape in Japanese home kitchens.

Knife Care (Iron Clad)

• This Knife is made from 3 layers of material; A layer of iron on each side protecting a layer of carbon steel at the core, in a process referred to as Sanmai or forge welding. Iron and carbon steel are both susceptible to rust and must be kept dry and clean at all time’s to avoid oxidation and discolouration.
• Simply wipe the knife with a damp cloth immediately after use.
• Wash with regular dish soap and warm water using a none abrasive sponge or cloth.
• Never put your knife in the dishwasher! The extreme heat will ruin the wooden handle.

• Highly acidic ingredients (Onions, Tomatoes, Citrus) Will cause rust and oxidation to happen faster, thus the user must ensure the knife is wiped clean immediately after working with such an ingredient.
• Should any rust form it can be removed using a rust eraser or a mixture of Baking soda and water to simply scrub it clean.
• Avoid Bones, Frozen foods, nuts and hard candies or anything other than fruits, vegetables and proteins.

Follow these care recommendations for your Japanese knives to protect the edge and keep them sharp as long as possible: 

• Do not put them in the dishwasher or soak them in water, as this may ruin the wooden handle and rust the blade. 
• Wash with soapy water and wipe dry after each use, especially after handling acidic ingredients, to minimize the risk of rusting.  
• Don’t cut through anything you wouldn’t bite through, like frozen foods, hard candies, or bones, as this may chip or damage the knife. 
• Don't torque the blade, as this may chip the knife. Use it in a forward and back, up and down motion without twisting.
• Don’t scrape the cutting board with your knife, as this will cause it to dull quickly and ruin your edge. 
• Use an end grain wooden cutting board or hi-soft rubberized cutting board if you can to protect your edge. Glass, bamboo, and granite are terrible materials for cutting boards, and plastic is only slightly better. 

All products are shipped within 24 hours. We offer same day shipping for products ordered by 12pm. Please allow 4-7 business days for your shipment to arrive with standard shipping. Expedited shipping options are also available at checkout.

We offer free shipping on orders over $150 CAD / $120 USD in the US and Canada.

Curbside pick-up is available at both our Hamilton and Etobicoke locations.

To make sure our customers are always satisfied, we offer full refunds on products for 14 days after receiving them. See our full return policy for details.

More questions? Check out our shipping policy, our return policy, or reach out to us directly.